On the Scottish west coast, the Anderson family was born among the ancient Dalriadan clans. Their name comes from the given name Andrew. The given name Andrew is derived from the Greek name Andreas, which means man or manly.The first reference to the given name Andrew was a monk of Dunfermline, who later became the Bishop of Caithness in the reign of David I. The first references to the surname appeared in the 13th century. In 1296, David le fiz Andreu was recorded as a burgess of Peebles, and Duncan fiz Andreu of Dumfries was recorded as taking an oath of fealty. [1]CITATION[CLOSE]Black, George F., The Surnames of Scotland Their Origin, Meaning and History. New York: New York Public Library, 1946. Print. (ISBN 0-87104-172-3) The Andersons held territories in Moidart, but later moved to Badenoch in the early 14th century. The most prominent branches of the Andersons were the Dowhills, West Ardbrecks and Candacraigs in Strathdon.

Anderson Early Origins

The surname Anderson was first found in the Great Glen and Strathspey, where the Anderson family is descended from Mac Ghille Andreis, servant of St. Andrew, Scotland's Patron Saint. They are regarded as a sept of Clan Chattan and have been associated with this Confederation of Clans from the 15th century. Not withstanding the aforementioned Scottish ancestry, it should now be mentioned that some of the family moved south into England at early times in their history. By example, we need to mention the manor in the parish of Eyworth in Bedfordshire. "The manor belonged at an early period to the Leybourns, and was afterwards in the families of Charlton and Francis; in the reign of Elizabeth, Eyworth was the property and seat of Sir Edmund Anderson, lord chief justice of the common pleas, one of the judges who sat at the trial of Mary, Queen of Scots. The church contains some interesting monuments to the Andersons and others." [2]CITATION[CLOSE]Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.

Anderson Spelling Variations

Anderson Spelling Variations

In the Middle Ages, the translation between Gaelic and English was not a highly developed process. Spelling was not yet standardized, and so, an enormous number of spelling variations appear in records of early Scottish names. Anderson has appeared as Anderson, Andison, Andersonne, Andersoun, Andirsoone, Andresoun, Androson, Andirston, Andrewson and many more.

Anderson Early History

Anderson Early History

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Anderson research. Another 129 words (9 lines of text) covering the years 1300, 1515, 1620, 1710, 1668, 1721, 1726, 1796 and are included under the topic Early Anderson History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Anderson Early Notables (pre 1700)

Anderson Early Notables (pre 1700)

Notable amongst the Clan from early times was John Androsone, burgess of Edinburgh in 1515; David and Alexander Anderson of Finshaugh, who made great contributions in the world of mathematics; Lionel Albert Anderson ( c. 1620-1710), an English Dominican...

Another 38 words (3 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Anderson Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Anderson In Ireland

Anderson In Ireland

Some of the Anderson family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt. Another 107 words (8 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

The Great Migration

The Great Migration

These settlers arrived in North America at a time when the east was burgeoning with prosperous colonies and the expanses of the west were just being opened up. The American War of Independence was also imminent. Some Scots stayed to fight for a new country, while others who remained loyal went north as United Empire Loyalists. The ancestors of all of them went on to rediscover their heritage in the 20th century through highland games and other patriotic Scottish events. The Anderson were among these contributors, for they have been located in early North American records:

Anderson Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century

Edward Anderson, who arrived in Nova Scotia in 1749

James Anderson, who landed in Nova Scotia in 1749

John and William Anderson, who immigrated to Newfoundland in 1763 [3]CITATION[CLOSE]Seary E.R., Family Names of the Island of Newfoundland, Montreal: McGill's-Queen's Universtity Press 1998 ISBN 0-7735-1782-0

Thomas Anderson, English convict from Middlesex, who was transported aboard the "Ann" on August 1809, settling in New South Wales, Australia[5]CITATION[CLOSE]State Library of Queensland. (Retrieved 2016, October 27) Ann voyage to New South Wales, Australia in 1809 with 200 passengers. Retrieved from http://www.convictrecords.com.au/ships/ann/1809

Peter Anderson, English convict from Sussex, who was transported aboard the "Asia" on April 1st, 1822, settling in New South Wales, Australia[6]CITATION[CLOSE]State Library of Queensland. (Retrieved 2016, October 27) Asia 1 voyage to Van Diemen's Land, Australia in 1822 with 190 passengers. Retrieved from http://www.convictrecords.com.au/ships/asia/1822

John Anderson, English convict from Leicester, who was transported aboard the "Asia" on July 29th, 1823, settling in Van Diemen's Land, Australia[7]CITATION[CLOSE]State Library of Queensland. (Retrieved 2016, October 27) Asia 1 voyage to Van Diemen's Land, Australia in 1823 with 151 passengers. Retrieved from http://www.convictrecords.com.au/ships/asia/1823

John Anderson, a carpenter, arrived in Van Diemen’s Land (now Tasmania) sometime between 1825 and 1832

Hugh Anderson, a bricklayer, arrived in Van Diemen’s Land (now Tasmania) sometime between 1825 and 1832

Mr. Cecil John Anderson (1916-1941), Australian Able Seaman from Adelaide, South Australia, Australia, who sailed into battle aboard HMAS Sydney II on the 19th November 1941 and died during the sinking

Mr. Ronald Harry Anderson (1918-1941), Australian Able Seaman from Palmyra, Western Australia, Australia, who sailed into battle aboard HMAS Sydney II on the 19th November 1941 and died during the sinking

Mr. William Thomson Anderson (1914-1941), Australian Lieutenant Engineer from Five Dock, New South Wales, Australia, who sailed into battle aboard HMAS Sydney II on the 19th November 1941 and died during the sinking

Mr. Joseph M Anderson (b. 1920), Scottish Ordinary Seaman serving for the Royal Navy from Redding, Stirlingshire, Scotland, who sailed into battle on the HMS Hood and died on 24th May 1941 in the sinking

Mr. John Anderson (b. 1919), English Chief Engine Room Artificer serving for the Royal Navy from Hartlepool, England, who sailed into battle on the HMS Hood and died on 24th May 1941 in the sinking

Mr. Arthur D Anderson (b. 1924), English Ordinary Seaman serving for the Royal Navy from Portsmouth, Hampshire, England, who sailed into battle on the HMS Hood and died on 24th May 1941 in the sinking

Mr. Stanley Anderson, British Able Bodied Seaman, who sailed in to battle on the HMS Prince of Wales and survived the sinking, was listed as missing in action 1942

Mr. Archibald Dickie Anderson, British Marine, who sailed in to battle on the HMS Prince of Wales and survived the sinking, was listed as missing and presumed killed during the evacuation of Singapore 1942

Mrs. Margaret Anderson, (née Armstrong), English 2nd Class passenger residing in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA returning to England, who sailed aboard the RMS Lusitania and died in the sinking and was recovered

Suggested Readings for the name Anderson

Suggested Readings for the name Anderson

Descendants of Capt. Henry Anderson, Sr., of Newberry County, South Carolina by Lucien L. McNees.

Motto

Motto

The motto was originally a war cry or slogan. Mottoes first began to be shown with arms in the 14th and 15th centuries, but were not in general use until the 17th century. Thus the oldest coats of arms generally do not include a motto. Mottoes seldom form part of the grant of arms: Under most heraldic authorities, a motto is an optional component of the coat of arms, and can be added to or changed at will; many families have chosen not to display a motto.

Motto: Stand sureMotto Translation: Stand sure

Anderson Clan Badge

Anderson Clan Badge

A clan is a social group made up of a number of distinct branch-families that actually descended from, or accepted themselves as descendants of, a common ancestor. The word clan means simply children. The idea of the clan as a community is necessarily based around this idea of heredity and is most often ruled according to a patriarchal structure. For instance, the clan chief represented the hereditary "parent" of the entire clan. The most prominent example of this form of society is the Scottish Clan system...

Shaw, William A. Knights of England A Complete Record from the Earliest Time to the Present Day of the Knights of all the Orders of Chivalry in England, Scotland, Ireland and Knights Bachelors 2 Volumes. Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing. Print. (ISBN 080630443X).

The Anderson Family Crest was acquired from the Houseofnames.com archives. The Anderson Family Crest was drawn according to heraldic standards based on published blazons. We generally include the oldest published family crest once associated with each surname.